HOME

is a scratch mark

along the walls

of an imagination

trying to claw its way

a screech

across the blackboard

of false truth

used to miseducate

we weren’t built for here

but here we are:

levitate

HOME

is a stones throw away,

a glass mansion

in the lake of a fiery mind

once caged

a chandelier promise

of fate

that hangs

in the imbalance

of power

like a porcelain slave

while the trees get saved

we weren’t counted in

for our own good

but still we stand

to celebrate

HOME

is a namesake

for the forsaken

sometimes we call it America

for the sake of foundation

I have seen you

wading

HOME

a broad stroke of color

in the darkness

away from

HOME

is where

the heart aches

to be heard

through the anxious apartness

imparted by

the brutality

of policies

that do not protect

or serve

HOME

was Scott-Heron’s last nerve

HOME

was Langston’s last word

HOME

was what Sonja said

HOME

was in Maya’s head

HOME

was a knee to the neck

HOME

was Breonna’s last breath

HOME

is death

by illegal sale of cigarette

HOME

is a clutched chest

dressed in Sunday’s best

HOME is where we left

to feel home-less

HOME

is an unborn baby step

into the tears

that Emmett wept

HOME

is the here

and the now

HOME

of the black and the proud

HOME

of the afro pick

say it loud

when they ask you

where you want to die

say

HOME

now.